The South African genus Agapanthus (lily-of-the-nile) is well-known for being a great summer-flowering, butterfly-attracting perennial in warm climates. Our goal is to find cold-hardy agapanthus plants to expand their use as garden perennials northward...so far, we have trialed 93 different agapanthus. We've killed several, found others that don't flower in cold climates, and discovered a few agapanthus that have been extraordinary garden performers in our Zone 7b climate.
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Plant Delights currently offers the best agapanthus from those trials for both perennial gardens and summer color bowls in colder climates. Agapanthus forms clumps of strappy leaves which are topped in summer with large, exotic, spherical flower heads atop spikes that range from 8" tall to 3' or taller. Agapanthus flowers can range from dark purple to light blue to white, including bicolor selections. Agapanthus plants are bold textured in the garden and pair well with summer perennials such as lantana, rudbeckia, red hot poker, gladiolus, and daylilies.
Although agapanthus plants are drought-tolerant, they flower much better when the soil is kept moist during the summer months. Agapanthus are also great at attracting hummingbirds to the garden. When you are ready to buy agapanthus plants for your garden, check out our list of agapanthus for sale below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
This selection of the deciduous Agapanthus africanus makes a typical rosette of green, strap-shaped leaves. In July, the clumps are topped with 3' tall flower spikes, each ending in a 5" diameter sphere of light blue flowers...perfect to attract hummingbirds while providing color during the summer months. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This 1972 introduction was selected by the late plantsman Alan Bloom of the UK's Bressingham Gardens. Agapanthus 'Bressingham Blue' is a seedling selection from thousands of plants of the famous Headbourne hybrids. The clump of narrow, green, winter-deciduous leaves is topped, starting in late June (NC), with 30" stalks ending in 4.5" round flower heads of dark blue-violet flowers. This has been a vigorous, outstanding cultivar in our trials. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(Patent 7303 expired) From California's Archie Amate comes this 1990 introduction, a phenomenally vigorous evergreen (in mild climates) Lily-of-the-Nile that makes a fast-growing 3' tall clump of green strap-like leaves, topped in midsummer with dark blue-violet (RHS 93A), 8" wide flower heads on 50" tall stems...a hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(Patent 7297 expired) Agapanthus 'Ellamae'...now there's a plant with a good southern name! From California's Archie Amate comes this 1990 introduction, a monstrous and vigorous Lily-of-the-Nile that makes a large clump of green strap-like leaves, topped in midsummer with dark blue-violet umbels of flowers on Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-like 66" tall stems...butterflies not included. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This fully deciduous South African agapanthus species can be found in open meadows in the Drakensberg and surrounding mountain ranges. The clumps of strap-like green leaves are topped in July with 2' tall spikes of dark purple-black pendulous flowers in July...a very nice selection that is attractive to hummingbirds. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
I first observed this amazing clone en masse at the famed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Agapanthus 'Graskop' was discovered in 1985 in the town of Graskop (not to be confused with the pond vegetation-eating fish) in the northeast Transvaal region of South Africa. The clumps of narrow green foliage are topped in summer with 3' spikes of terminal flower heads, each composed of 30-40 flowers that emerge as black buds, then open with dark violet-blue pendulous flowers...simply stunning...a hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This introduction from California's Emerissa Gardens is one I picked up on a West Coast swing many years ago...as much for the name as anything else. Over the years, this has been the star in our agapanthus trials, both for winter hardiness and good flowering. The 2.5' to 3' tall spikes are topped with 4" ball-shaped heads composed of rich blue-violet flowers, attractive to hummingbirds. I think you will find this a superb garden-worthy clone, sure to be the sunshine of your life. We'll get yours on the way...signed, sealed, delivered. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Thanks to Barrie Coate for setting us straight on the origin of this great plant. When Barrie was Director of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, he selected this gem from thousands of open pollinated seedlings of the deciduous Agapanthus 'Mood Indigo'. The resulting evergreen selection (only to 28 degrees F) is a dynamite lily-of-the-Nile with the typical strap-like foliage to 24" tall. Through late summer, the huge clumps of foliage are topped with giant, magnificent, hummingbird-friendly flower heads of bluish-purple on very sturdy stalks to 4' tall...WOW! Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
From Kees de Jong of Holland comes an amazing agapanthus that appeared in his cut flower field of blue Agapanthus africanus. The deciduous (evergreen in mild climates), 1.5" wide green foliage makes a 2' wide clump, topped in midsummer with 30" stalks of huge 10" flower heads of up to 80 pure white flowers...a hummingbird favorite. It took Barry Bonds years of steroid use to get a head this large...Agapanthus 'White Heaven' has consistently tested clean. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
.jpg "Agapanthus 'Ellamae' (Ellamae Perennial Lily-of-the-Nile)")
